Help us expand our group of volunteers

A DEDICATED volunteers society for the elderly is appealing for volunteers to help expand its work in the community.

CISCA – which stands for Canvey Island Senior Citizens Association – has been run since 1969 by hard-working volunteers and offers old people and pensioners in the borough activities, excursion and excitement five days a week.

Members travel from as far as Chalkwell and Ockendon to take in the atmosphere, with one member embarking on a two-hour bus journey from Thurrock to reach the society.

The club hopes to hold more events and day trips with the help of extra volunteers.

Doreen Cross, joint chairman of CISCA House, off Long Road, says the popular society serves around 60 people a day and is hugely popular in the community.

Doreen, 75, from Canvey, has been the joint chairman for the past three years, said: “This club has given a lot to the people of Castle Point for almost half a century and we have always been run off a shoe string.

“We have 13 members on the committee and 25 volunteers in all but we need more people to ensure we are as stable as possible.”

The club goes on a number of trips at weekends, taking people to Eastbourne, Hastings and Polegate, in East Sussex.

Activities include bowls, for £1 including tea and biscuits, snooker, for 50p all morning, cards and darts. Meals include casserole, toad-in-the-hole, roast chicken, pie and mash and ham, egg and chips, costing £3.10p for dinner and dessert.

However, they are totally self-funded and often hold bake sales and fundraising events to bring in cash to serve the society’s coffers. The only members of staff to be paid are the two cooks and a cleaner, and they accept minimum wage.

Doreen said: “We are always looking for a helping hand as people really appreciate what we do. We have a couple in their 80s who met here and are now engaged and a number of others who have blossoming relationships.”

The society was chosen as Sainsbury’s charity of the year, in the Knightswick Centre, in Canvey.

If you wish to volunteer at the society contact nanwithemail@gmail.com or call 01268 680985.

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